2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks

These 2018 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2018 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2018 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

1. Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans. Bye: 10.
   JULY 25 UPDATE: Deshaun Watson has avoided the PUP list, as expected. Watson has been working out like a madman this offseason, and he's poised for a huge year if he can stay healthy. He's my No. 1 player in the Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings.
   
   JUNE 14 UPDATE: Deshaun Watson has been practicing without a brace. This is great news for Watson, whom I have listed as my No. 1 fantasy quarterback. Barring injury, he's going to have a huge year.
   
   Despite playing just six-and-a-half games, Deshaun Watson threw for 1,699 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 269 yards and two more scores. If you extrapolate that over 16 games, you get the following numbers:
   
   4,180 passing yards, 46 passing touchdowns (!!), 19 interceptions, 662 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns
   
   Looks pretty good to me! Watson is a dynamic quarterback who will likely be completely healthy by the start of the season. He's one of the top fantasy quarterbacks for 2018, but hopefully the hype doesn't push him up in your draft.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,050 passing yards. 32 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 550 rushing yards. 4 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2017 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 332.
   
   
2. Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks. Bye: 7.
   What Russell Wilson does despite having absolutely no offensive line is ridiculous. Getting no help from his blocking, Wilson threw for 3,983 yards, 34 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions in 2017. He also rushed for 586 yards and three more scores. Wilson could finish as the top fantasy quarterback in 2018 with better protection, but the Seahawks haven't provided him with any, unfotunately.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,000 passing yards. 32 passing TDs. 9 INTs. 520 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 331.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. Bye: 7.
   Aaron Rodgers is coming off an injury-ravaged 2017 season, so perhaps that'll cause him to be drafted earlier than he should be. Rodgers is still one of the top fantasy quarterbacks available, and he could have a great 2018 campaign with his former offensive coordinator Joe Philbin coaching him once again.
   
   Follow @walterfootball for updates.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,250 passing yards. 34 passing TDs. 9 INTs. 310 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 324.
   
   
4. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. Bye: 4.
   Can Newton accumulated the fewest yards of his career for a 16-game slate this past season. He made up for it with his 754 rushing yards, but there's hope for his passing stats. That would be because the Panthers hired Norv Turner to be Newton's offensive coordinator. Newton is a strong QB1 option for 2018.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 3,700 passing yards. 24 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 570 rushing yards. 6 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 309.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. Bye: 11.
   Tom Brady turns 41 in August, but he's still going strong, thanks to his crazy diet and voodoo regimen. Brady threw for 4,577 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2017. He's bound to regress eventually, but it would be foolish to bet against him at the moment.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,450 passing yards. 31 passing TDs. 8 INTs. 30 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 295.
   
   
6. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, 49ers. Bye: 11.
   The 49ers took a shot, trading a second-round pick for Jimmy Garoppolo during the season. They waited a few weeks to get him on the field, but once he played, it became clear that he's going to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL quite soon. In five starts, Garoppolo threw for 1,560 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Over a 16-game slate, that equates to 4,992 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Garoppolo will have a better supporting cast in 2018, with Pierre Garcon returning from injury, Jerick McKinnon added in free agency, and Dante Pettis selected in the second round of the draft. Garoppolo should be considered a QB1.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,300 passing yards. 29 passing TDs. 12 INTs. 30 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 285.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
7. Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions. Bye: 6.
   Despite playing through some injuries in the middle of the season, Matthew Stafford had a strong fantasy campaign, compiling 4,446 yards, 29 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions. There's a coaching change, but his offensive coordinator has remained, so Stafford should have a strong 2018 season.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,350 passing yards. 27 passing TDs. 11 INTs. 120 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2017 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 284.
   
   
8. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. Bye: 8.
   Matt Ryan took a step backward this past season with Steve Sarkisian serving as a clear downgrade from Kyle Shanahan as offensive coordinator. Still, his touchdown total dropping from 38 to 20 was substantial. Ryan could rebound a bit in 2018, especially with Calvin Ridley now on the roster, but it's difficult to completely trust him as a fantasy quarterback as long as Sarkisian is calling the shots.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,400 passing yards. 29 passing TDs. 10 INTs. 110 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 283.
   
   
   
   
9. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. Bye: 12.
   Patrick Mahomes is not yet a finished product, but he has great upside, especially in fantasy because of his scrambling ability. He has great potential for 2018, and he's well worth a mid-round pick as a big-time sleeper.
   
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 3,900 passing yards. 24 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 320 rushing yards. 4 rushing TDs.
   Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 278.
   
   
10. Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Bye: 6.
    Drew Brees is 39 now, but age isn't the reason why his stats regressed in 2017. His improved defense and dominant ground attack had a big impact on his stats. That helped Brees win in real life, but not in fantasy. He's no longer a QB1 (unless his defense really regresses for some reason.)
    
    Projected 2018 Fantasy Stats: 4,450 passing yards. 27 passing TDs. 11 INTs. 10 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
    Projected 2018 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 277.
    
    

	Injured/injury risk		Potential bust		Potential sleeper
	Rank higher in touchdown leagues		Rank lower in touchdown leagues
	Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues		Rank lower in PPR leagues

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